Team China (R) and team Italy (L) are seen before their quarterfinal at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

SHENZHEN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Italy beat China 2-0 here on Tuesday to book a ticket in the Billie Jean King Cup semifinal.

World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini's comeback to overcome Wang Xinyu 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to seal the win for Italy after a marathon match into midnight. Wang led 4-2 in the third set only to see Paolini win four straight games to secure the victory.

An earlier match saw Elisabetta Cocciaretto edge Yuan Yue 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in 2 hours and 52 minutes. Yuan held a 5-2 advantage in the third set before Cocciaretto won five games in a row.

"For sure, it was a tough match. I have to play my game, to think about just how to play the strategy against her. I tried to do it and I think it worked," Cocciaretto said. ■

Yuan Yue of China hits a return during the women's singles match against Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy in the quarterfinal between China and Italy at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy hits a return during the women's singles match against Yuan Yue of China in the quarterfinal between China and Italy at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy hits a return during the women's singles match against Yuan Yue of China in the quarterfinal between China and Italy at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)